Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on various aspects of the society and temple priests in Tamil Nadu are among the most affected. Though the government had announced cash support of 1,000 rupees, it is reportedly restricted to pujaris who are registered under the village temple pujaris welfare board of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR & CE). This also had a significant impact on the livelihood of the temple priests. Between April-May, there will be lots of temple festivals, all of them are completely suspended now. “The government even increased the retirement pension of village temple priests to 3,000 from 1,000 rupees, but even that hasn’t reached out members properly.

Source: Indian Express May 30, 2020 10:38 UTC